Saturday, August 6, 2011

The Creative Frenzy

"Art is the conveyance of spirit by means of matter." Salvador DeMadariaga. This is one of my favorite quotes as it perfectly puts into words what it means to be a creative soul. Studies show that the brains of creative people appear to be more open to incoming stimuli from the surrounding environment. Studies also show links between creative genius and mental illness. Einstein, Salvador Dali and John Forbes Nash, Russell Crowe's character in "A Beautiful Mind", are perfect examples of the fine line between creativity and mental illness. Often, people with bipolar disorder do not like to be medicated because medication inhibits the creativity experienced in the manic phase. I think I understand their resistance.

The creative frenzy is a sweet and sour sort of animal most especially if you have other responsibilities that you can not just let go of. When the frenzy hits, things like full time jobs basically get in the way and you enter this state of conflict that all creative people understand all too well. My creative frenzies are never around easily executed ideas. A simple trip to the crafts department of Walmart and a couple hours dodging blisters from wayward drips of hot glue from my glue gun is never enough. Certainly I enjoy creating earrings from my vintage beads for my etsy shop, but this creative process could never come close to satisfying a creative frenzy. The only thing that satisfies a creative frenzy is to successfully "convey your spirit by means of matter". I have to transfer the idea exploding in my head to concrete reality.

For me, a creative frenzy is all consuming and that's where conflict comes into play. I can't stop thinking about the new idea or project-the materials I need to order, how I will execute it, if I can successfully pull it off etc. I can never find enough hours to transform my creative idea to a finished project. I have to work, invariably I have to order some tool and God forbid I have to eat and sleep. Every step is fast forwarded in my mind and there my idea is so beautifully completed in my "mind's eye". The problem is life doesn't have a fast forward button or even a pause button-we have to continue on play and for some of us who unfortunately repeat some of our mistakes, occasionally reverse...

Creative frenzy is the vehicle that takes the creative soul from an intangible idea to a concrete reality.

When a creative frenzy is successful and you have that "aha" moment, there is nothing more satisfying.

Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein understood creative frenzy. They lived it. I am in no way comparing myself to these creative geniuses. All I am saying is I get it.....

24 comments:

I love to take what I call junk/thrift store finds and turn them into something fun. I totally understand the frenzy although, I'm not as fanatical about finishing a project as I used to be. It gets done but I've learned to take it easy when I need to. I love what you did to the chair!!

I already follow you and here's my blog if you're interested:http://willowtreepotteryandgallery.blogspot.com/

I love your description of "creative frenzy." I can totally relate. I'm too old to stay up until 2:30 a.m.---but when I'm in one of those "creative frenzies" I lose all track of time. And yet, in some ways, that is when I feel most alive -- or, at least, not so old.

Absolutely love the chair! And can most definitely relate to what you said about creative frenzy, as well as the line between creativity and mental illness! There are many times, I think, when I cross that line!

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About Me

I am a baby boomer with a passion for the midcentury eames era. I believe I would have been more suited to be an adult in the 1950s or early 1960s-pearls, starched apron and all. Upcycling keeps my creative juices flowing and brings respect to my thrift store addiction. I am currently completely redoing a vintage "canned ham" camper from the 50's that I hope to enjoy when I retire some day. I live in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.